North West Ambulance Service – which has a station in Kenyons Lane, Lydiate – want to stop all uniformed staff from wearing socks decorated with cartoon characters, jokes and garish patterns because bosses say they are unprofessional.

It is part of a new dress code policy that bans wrist watches, visible body piercing, excessive make-up and certain tattoos.

Staff could face disciplinary action if they fail to follow the code.

Unions think the step is over the top.

And Unison rep Craig Wilde said they will insist the rule is removed during future consultation.

Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel spokesman Jonathan Fox said: “I am a strong supporter of staff having to adhere to a dress code – but this is taking it too far. If it was April 1 I would be mildly amused.

“I have never even noticed the colour of people’s socks at work. Let’s keep the rules in perspective.”

Most of the new policy was set up to ensure hygiene and safety standards are met.

Clinical staff are banned from wearing wrist watches and some jewellery because they can carry germs or injure patients. Some staff will now be issued with fob watches instead.

But other parts of the code have been drawn up to make sure the service appears professional.

Director of organisational development Jon Lenney said: “We would expect our staff to wear uniforms provided and do not feel that novelty socks with slogans and images are appropriate for presenting a professional image to patients and members of the public.

“The North West Ambulance Service is a professional healthcare organisation and as such, expects appropriate standards of dress from both its frontline and support staff.

“The new dress code policy, approved by the Trust board, sets out what is and what is not regarded as appropriate.

“This important policy was initiated in response to the recent Care Quality Commission inspection in relation to healthcare acquired infections and this has been developed in conjunction with our staff side representatives.”

He added: “The item which refers to which socks crews may wear is a very small element in a substantial document which covers more important issues such as infection control and health and safety.

“The trust does provide full uniform, including plain dark socks, and as the role of frontline staff requires a great deal of physical movement, on occasion, socks can be visible.”